Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-11-08


thing, he know not what-how he cursed
his luck afterward l-restrained him His
head hung down In shame. He was over
whelmingly conscience stricken, and his
previous flush was exchanged for n deadly
pallor When their eyes had met, each un-
derstood the other. Each knew that each
other knew it, too.
The fatal moment had como to Natalie,
and she awol5e to find herself a woman.
Tho scales were torn from her eyes, and
her supposed friendship confronted her in
all its true and soul-stirring proportions.
The fatal moment also had come to her
lover. What he had worked for, schemed
for, sinned for, and dreamed about was his,
IN in u measure that alarmed him. Never
had success perched so long on any mans
banners; never fortune more favored any
mans plans. And yet, Just as tho prize
was actually thrust into his hands, he re-
fused to take it,
The dospicable meanness Of his low trick
cry, treachery, deceit and villainy appeared
in so violent contrast with the nobleness,
simplicity and purity Of this guileless
creature that his now thoroughly awakened
sense Of honor positively forbade his taking
advantage of tho opportunity fortune had
flung at his feet.
As to Fairfax, so to Natalie, with the
revelation of her love, had come an accom-
panying revelalion-but Of a far-different
character.
When she pushed aside the curtain, she
paused, not only because surprised ut tho
sudden transformation in her friend; but
because his bent head, worried and woofully
sad face and his figure, with the hands
clasped behind the back, reminded her
forcibly of some event or person that she
felt convinced had entered into some Of her
recent experiences.
She had no time TO remember what or who
1t was; for her interest and distress as TO
Fairfax's sorrowful demeanor drove all
other thoughts from her mind. When, how
ever, he glanced up and that great wave Of
color had crossed his face, the resemblance
again struck her so forcibly that she put
her hand to her forehead with the words:
aid l dream it, Where have seen him
beforol Surely, / have-seen-ah,I remem-
Der, now! The old chateau, the Warehouses
and the ball that evening"
Like flash, the scene appeared bef9re
her, with the clearness Of inspiration. ARala
she saw Lydia at the foot Of the staircase,
the young American standing dejectedly be-
side her, his head bent down, listening 10
her conversation; again she saw his look Of
surprise and flush Of embarrassment when
he caught sight of her, as sho came slewly
down the steps with the old Marquis.
A horrible suspicion arose In her mind.
Could this apparently innocent, noblo-heart-
ed fellow whom, for the first time, she now
realized she loved) have boon playing fast
and loose with heri Acting tho role Of q
hypocritel 1t could not, must not DO true.
Yet, sick at heart, faint under the burden
of the suspicion, she stepped forward, with
tho eagerness Of despair that knows the
hour of doom is at hand, but seeks to fiatter
itself into belief to tho contrary. Clasp
ing her hands and gazing earnestly into his
face. she exclaimed:
"You are not Mons. Fairfax whom I saw
at the ball that EVENING" Obi say that you
are not the man who has done this. Tell
me that you are what believed you-hon-
orable, truem
Fairfax slowly lifted up his head. All the
light was como out of his eyes; shame and
self-conviction had taken its place. Quietly
he replied:
~ can not lie to you"
u
hands before her face to conceal her tears
and look of bitter disappointment and re-
preach; and with such iueffable sadness
that Fairfax was completely overwhelmed
with romorse. She said, between the sobs
that she bravely tried to stifie:
"And trusted you sol''
Suddenly she arose, flung aside her tears
and disappointment and stood erect;
naughty, cold and commanding. Any other
but Fairfax would have flinched under the
keen, contemptuous gaze.
'sThis must ceaser' and, as she spoke,
the words fell In hard, unnatural metallic
tones.
Her cheeks flushed with indignation, her
lip curled in scorn and command, her eyes
CLEANED with fire, and she looked every
inch the child of royal race.
Fairfax forgot every thing totally, and
gazed in wrapt admiration at this glorious
being.
'SThis must ceasel You stand confessed
hat you are the man through whose arts
Am here. command you TO release and re-
turn mo-"
"Whatn she continued, as Fairfax stood
silently devouring her as il were, with his
ayes, ''you refuse TO heedi Know you not
hat the word Of the Princess Radziwill, even
1lth hey naers "a la,v. ava Az Vol, an irto.
-ior dare "a. bald bsr nriaonarl CON .ba
aid imnerionsIv. her face now nalIid with
ne atropg amotion that rent bcr mGoI
Won will nrovide n wav for INV
.et1lrn.s, w
Fairfar. regaipino his comnosure. with n
oolness aisnsssionaieness and oontlaman-
: conrtesv Nv which even Natalie could NOT
'eln bein1 Affected renlied in those sIovv
colorless measured tone. tbat
"a could adont AZ viii.
,sThe Princess Natalie forocts tha, sbe {.
ntirelv In INV control: that she has oiven |
No her written nromise cven N mediate No |
scane. while freedom IA allowed her AZ
lot denv that I abducted Won stolo Won from
our home. that ir,neriled vour life NV
M. vour hanniness NV own banniress and |
hal Of your family: that I rislred An. throv
verv thing into The balance inclndirg NV
yvn moral nercen,ion. m rieht ana rvrong
Nv training as the son N n Cbrist,nn gcn.
eman. oyerbore INV oonscicntiou. scrupIes
all TO succeed in INV nlans That love
ON, Won know, Bnt that 7 have loved Won
YER since that blessed hour when 7 6rss
ebeld Won AZ the ,vavside nooI In Rrit,anv
an do not know II was I who found ana
stnrned vonr lost lnIfo 10 Avn The
niItv amber ana ovec,,,o,. q, tbo .hduc.
an yo,, lrno,v how vail I nav. s,ccasdod
an Won dcnv that Won ,eai nm jntsres. ia
'el WIN Won saw that lam nothing h Won't